"For the first time in over two decades, there is a chance to
establish normalcy," Guterres said. "Consolidating peace is very
challenging and Somalia is fragile, but the process is moving in the
right direction."

While underlining the fragility of the situation in Somalia, the High
Commissioner encouraged the countries in the region to work with UNHCR
and refugees themselves to find the best solution for every refugee.

Mr. Guterres told Kenyan officials it is time to move from "care and
maintenance" of Somali refugees in their country to solutions "where the
return of refugees is fully voluntary, and conducted in safety and
dignity."

UNHCR will work with the Governments of Kenya and Somalia to
establish a tripartite commission on standards and procedures for
voluntary repatriation. Mr. Guterres is planning to propose similar
commissions for other major Somali refugee hosting countries. He
travels on Thursday to Ethiopia for high-level talks.

In his meetings in Mogadishu on Tuesday and Nairobi today, Mr.
Guterres proposed a phased approach, starting by assisting refugees who
are spontaneously returning to Somalia. The next step would be a pilot
project under which UNHCR could help assist groups of refugees return to
a number of selected places in Somalia judged to be safe and stable. As
conditions inside Somalia become conducive this would be followed by
enhanced facilitation and finally the promotion of repatriation.

"If we do these returns properly, they can be a positive factor for
development in Somalia," he said. "On the other hand, if huge numbers of
refugees go home prematurely, they could contribute to
destabilization."

Mr. Guterres noted that the situation in Jubaland, the region where a
large majority of refugees in Kenya originate, is tense, and
humanitarian actors including UNHCR are unable to access certain areas
to deliver aid and monitor the situation. Also, Somalis continue to flee
violence, although in smaller numbers than in previous years. "This is a
moment of hope for Somalia," Mr. Guterres said, "It all depends on how
things evolve."

Mr. Guterres also expressed appreciation for Kenya's generous policy
toward refugees and a partnership that for UNHCR represents "one of the
most important in the world for refugee protection." There are now over
600,000 registered Somali refugees in Kenya.